The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-02-17
WINNING HIS WIFE.

mo, Maggie, frankly, don't love
him"
Yet you are going to marry him?"
1T seems so;'' the speaker, Isabel
Deering, laughed merrily as she caught
a view of her friends grave face.
''Are YOU not afraid, lsabel?"
''Afraid of what?" Miss Isabel's
eyebrows arched themselves interroga-
lively, and she said, jestingly: 1T
feels quite like novel, Mag-love on
one side. Everyday people have it on
both. l want something different, you
see. Why, my dear, how could judge
my husband critically if l happened to
be in love with him?" She paused a
little while, and then went on, laugh
ingly:
Il couldn't, for instance, select his
clothes, because he looked well in any,
thing I'd let him wear mustaches
when clean lips were en- regle; he'd
smoke in my parlOrs, put his feet on
my mantel, and possibly chew! Think
of it! But now DEAR Miss Deering
continued, 81 shall have no such OBJ
struction to clear views. | can scan
the lord of the manor with critical
eye, and it is great advantage, really.
l can see no sensible reason why a wo-
man should fall, to use the common
parlance, in love"
Maggie said nothing. but the strong
protest expressed on her face was I'M
mistakable.
Say something, Maggie" Miss
Deering said after little.
''It's too late to say anything, dear"
her friend replied slowly.
ssNeyer mind, say what you think"
s'Well, l think l am sorry for you
both"
..Humph''-a short silence during
which Isabel beat light tattoo with
the point of her shapely boot. She
drew chair, and watched her friends
deft fingers fasten long sprays of or
ange blossoms upon the rich lace veil
which had been Isabers mothers.
sit is unjust to Jack Stuart to marry
him, feeling as you do toward Robert
Stanope."
..How do l feel Mag?" Isabel asked.
light color coming to her cheek. II
don't really know
Her friend looked at her steadily as
she said: You love him, Isabel, and
you know it.
mo, really, | don't think do; did
last winter, but | almost hate him
sometimes now, in spite of his being
the most attractive man | ever saw"
He has no principle" Isabels
friend interrupted her warmly.
..Why should yOu say that2'
'.lo ou need hardly ask the question,
that showed me his true character"
1T was a mutual agreement that we
should part, both We're SO poor then,
Isabel said, slowly.
Originated by Robert himself, how
ever" Maggie said, severely.
s.But / tell you | really don't love
Robert Stanope now, Isabel repeated,
good-naturedk; Il don't love him,
I've only a sort of tenderness for him.
| don't believe any woman could re-
fuse Robert Stanope on Il first offer.
Il know what you have been thin x
ing. Isabel" Maggie went on, speak
ing rapidly. IAN introduction TO your
husband is the trump card to be played
in sweet revenge when Robert Stanope
seeks YOU again. as he will when he
knows of your fortune; but remember,
YOU are giving good mans life AS 4
sacrifice to your own wounded vanity.
"Do you suppose he is marrying me
for my accommodation" Isabel asked,
impatiently, ..Pshaw! he wants q
mistress for Shockoe, and he shall have
one"
sis that all2''
mo, l think he loves me in his
heavy way" Miss Deering said, slow
ly. ..but he's so-oh. l don't know
he's so-he has no intuitions. If
should say: Jack, dear | love you very
much, there now, take yourself of,
and sit on the gallery, he'd accept me,
literally swallow my statement, believe
himself adored, and sit the evening
happily alone.
..And Robert?'
..Oh, Robert was quite different. He
couldn't be happy unless | was neal
him. You'd call it selishness, but
liked it,
..How do you suppose Mr.. Stuart
will relish the knowledge of your
fastest"
Il do not think they are abnormal >
Miss behring's tone betrayed some bit
terness. s.It is no concern of his how
| felt year ago. He has offered me
the position of mistress of shockoe
/ have accepted the appointment. Tha
is all"
did some one come in, Williamg
Miss Deering asked, as the butler ap
| peared with the letters.
..Mr. Stuart's gone out, ma am. He
ben er budden dem California tree
for missis.
Isabel Deering, the belle and beaut.
of her section, was to marry man o
very large means--a young scion o
the older aristocracy. The older mem
bers of the family had died in the pro
cess of going down in the world, bu
this young stripling-he was a strip
ling ten years ago-had kept BRAY
heart, which helped a clear head; ha
gone west, and six months ago ha
come back to Peream, bought at a goo
round price Shockoe, his ancestra
home. some four miles from the village
and followed that by falling nearly i
love with the beautiful Miss Deerine
The neighborhood mammas all put ou
decoys very vigorously, but he wa
either very old OF very ine'
perienced specimen. He passed III
harmed and unallured, and kept hi
allegiance openly bound TO Isabel Dee
ing. He had been very unique
frank, unexacting lover, seeming
feel it quite enough that he should |
allowed undisturbed and untrammele
expression of his own love. A few day
ago he said to Isabel, as they stood o
the gallery steps,